how many hours do car salesmen work

[SanLeo]

A car salesman's workweek is far from a standard 9-to-5. Most work well over 40 hours per week, with 50 to 60 hours being common. Their schedule is heavily dictated by dealership operating hours, which include evenings and weekends—the prime time for customer visits. While this can lead to long, irregular hours, the primary compensation is commission-based, meaning income is directly tied to sales performance.

The core structure of their week often includes one consistent weekday off, like a Monday or Tuesday, and working most Saturdays. Sundays can vary by state due to blue laws. A typical day isn't just spent on the sales floor; it involves a mix of tasks: following up with leads, studying new model features, attending team meetings, and completing paperwork after a sale.

A key factor influencing hours is the sales process itself, which can be unpredictable. A single deal might take several hours over multiple days. This career demands significant time investment, especially for those new to the field building their client base. However, top performers can achieve a high income that reflects the effort.

Here’s a look at how hours can break down in a typical week:

Activity	Weekly Hours	Details
Floor Time	20-30 hours	Actively greeting customers on the dealership lot.
Lead Follow-up	5-10 hours	Calling/emailing potential buyers from inquiries.
Product Training	2-4 hours	Learning features of new models and updates.
Sales Meetings	2-3 hours	Morning or evening meetings to set goals and strategies.
Paperwork & Delivery	5-15 hours	Handling financing, contracts, and vehicle orientation.
Total Estimated Hours	50-60 hours	Can exceed 60 hours during peak sales events or month-end pushes.

[JackRose]

We're basically on retail's clock, but the stakes are higher. My schedule is set around when people can shop, so I work most Saturdays and at least one or two evenings a week. You have to be "on" all the time—you never know if the next person through the door is a serious buyer. It's not for someone who wants to punch out at 5 PM sharp. The money is in the hours you put in with customers.

[DiBenjamin]

It's a trade-off. The hours are long, sure. I might be at the dealership 55 hours a week. But I also get a weekday off when I can run errands without crowds. The flexibility isn't in the total hours; it's in how they're structured. There's downtime between customer appointments, which I use to call leads. It's demanding, but the potential for a six-figure income makes the schedule manageable for my family.

[McLola]

Forget the 40-hour week. In this job, you're paid on commission. If you're not working, you're not earning. I aim for 55+ hours, especially on weekends. That's when the real buyers come in. You have to be prepared for long, unstructured days that don't end when the doors close—there's always paperwork and follow-up. It's a grind, but the top sellers here wouldn't have it any other way; the hours directly fuel their success.

[Ralph]

New guys like me work the most hours, easily 60-plus a week. You're building a client base from scratch, so you take every "up" (a walk-in customer) and stay late to follow every lead. The seasoned veterans with repeat business can sometimes afford a more relaxed schedule. The dealership expects you there during all open hours, including evenings and weekends. It's a major commitment, but you learn very quickly if you have the stamina for it.